This is the official, not to mention only, web portal in the world dedicated exclusively to the legacy of Jack and Helen Frye!

The Frye Legacy-a Lifetime of Accomplishment!

By Randall Reynolds

The Sedona Legend Web Site is a copyrighted historical photo enhanced narrative presented for educational and entertainment purposes. Some materials may be displayed in regard to the United States Fair Use Act. This web portal is totally non-profit and generates no income nor does it seek or has it ever accepted a single donation. It is an independent venture.

Sedona Legend was envisioned and created to provide Red Rock State Park visitors a comprehensive historic overview for Jack and Helen Frye and their Deer-Lick and Smoke Trail Ranches. This effort is now officially cited by R.R.S.P. as an indepth historical venue representing Jack and Helen Frye.

Sedona Legend is encouraged by the many friends of Jack and Helen Frye. A gracious thank you to the Frye and Varner families for invaluable support and Red Rock State Park staff and volunteers for their enthusiasm.

Helen Frye lived in many beautiful homes in her lifetime. When married to her second husband, Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr., Helen found herself in some of the most opulent and majestic private homes in the country- certainly more akin to palaces than mansions. So many rooms she was heard to once say, "I would often get lost navigating the interiors". Later in life millionaires Jack and Helen Frye built the now regionally famous one of kind "House of Apache Fires" at their 700 acre Smoke Trail Ranch at Sedona. This house had views to die for and now as one of Sedona's most historic landmarks rests amid some of the most valuable real estate in Arizona. Helen and Jack's ranch in Sedona, now the 286-acre Red Rock State Park, even at only a third of its original acreage is currently worth approximately 125 million dollars. If Jack and Helen had kept the entire Smoke Trail Ranch intact it would be worth a staggering 350 million dollars at today's prices! At the time the Apache Fires house was built by Helen and Jack they owned a over 50,000 acres of land in the state of Arizona alone. This included the Sunshine Ranch, now known as the Red Gap Ranch, between Winslow and Flagstaff (now owned by the City of Flagstaff for its water rights). Another Frye ranch above Williams AZ. (Red Lake) was called the Spring Valley Ranch. They also had ranch property in Texas. When Jack and Helen were in the west they enjoyed the old western style of living, as all their ranches were very much "working ranches". Their western homes were not "showplaces" but rather designed to be comfortable and functional, a reflection of the lifestyle they truly loved.

Quite a contrast to this "western" lifestyle was the formal life they led back east in regard to Jack's business life (TWA & GAF). The Frye's had two main homes: one a Tudor-styled estate on 5 acres at Overland Park Kansas (suburb of Kansas City), and the other a very elegant mansion which sat on 73 acres with pool and stables at Falls Church (Arlington) Virginia. The latter was named "Hillcrest Farm" by the Fryes. The estate was more well known by the name of the Doubleday Mansion, and currently "the Cedars". At these estates, furnished lavishly with period antiques and art, the Frye's entertained friends and associates of Transcontinental & Western Air, Inc. Whew! What a lot of household management for Helen! It's no wonder Helen Frye derived most of her sleep on TWA air liners and Jack Frye's private Lockheed planes. The Fryes did employ a household staff to help at their eastern homes to include a live-in chauffeur, cook, butler, houseman, housekeepers, and even private secretaries. For an overview of the Jack and Helen Frye estates back east see Page 1943 and Page 1939.

After Helen and Jack went their separate ways in 1950. Helen built two other homes in Sedona. As a pioneer of innovation, Helen developed a portion of her and Jack's original ranch into "Cup of Gold Estates" now one of the most exclusive, scenic and high-dollar creek-side developments in the Sedona region. At the time of Helen and Jack's divorce there was a pending U.S. Forest Service land trade with the Frye Spring Valley Ranch. This trade land on the extreme north side of Smoke Trail Ranch, called the "cliff-site", became the property where Helen built another home in 1961-62, christened the "Wings of the Wind". The views from this property are breathtaking. Quite assuredly even today this property has is one of the top five view parcels in the entire Sedona region! This area is now known in Sedona as "Smoke Trail Ranch Estates". But few people are aware of yet another home that Helen Vanderbilt Frye built in Sedona, this because it was not completed at the time she died. It was designed as a modest, rustic, cabin-like dwelling called "Sky Fires", aptly named in part to reflect a kinship with the "Apache Fires" house. It is also said that this house was named for the incredible sunsets seen at this rural location. Helen named all her homes- this was paramount to her, perhaps as a carry over from her Vanderbilt years. Surprisingly this home was not built on the famous Frye Smoke Trail Ranch but instead was constructed on property that Helen purchased from a dear friend Faye Crenshaw. The location was in the Sedona Red Rock region called the Village of Oak Creek on a parcel now known as "the Ridge". The Sedona Golf Resort now resides on this beautiful former Frye property adjoined by a Hilton Hotel resort. Certainly picturesque- the property is graced with reflective ponds and lovely golf greens.

What of this "Sky Fires" House?

If it was not for Faye Crenshaw owning a large tract of property at the Village of Oak Creek and her close friendship with Helen Frye from the early 1950's there is no doubt Sky Fires would have never existed! So it is apropos that Faye is featured on this page. Above to the left is Helen Frye, Faye Crenshaw, and Helen's godchild, Elisa Armijo. The location was the Winged Arts Building at Airport Road and 89A in West Sedona. To the right is Faye at her home. Images were from about 1967 and are courtesy of Helen's dear friend Rosie Targhetta Armijo.

A Simple Expression of Function and Design

Envisioned by Artist Helen Frye- Sky Fires

This view home sat on top of a ridge with spectacular views of Bell Rock and the surrounding vistas. It has been said Sky Fires was adjoined by 20 or more acres, however; this is not verified. The home was two-story A-Frame in appearance, with a dramatic curved stairway, exposed open-beam ceilings and a large circle drive entrance. In the sub-area there was a meditation room for Helen who was deeply spiritual. It was Helen's intention to one day move out to Sky Fires but unfortunately she succumbed to cancer before she was able to see her dream home completed. After Helen's death the house eventually became the property of Helen's twin sisters. Up until it was sold a young friend of Helen's resided at the property. Some say he owned the house but Helen's family has assured me this simply is not true.

Sky Fires brought to Life

Through the assistance of a generous and "anonymous" web-surfer who was a friend and building assistant to Helen Frye at Apache Fires and Sky Fires we are able to have a visual of the infamous dwelling and an overview of Helen's intention with the project.

The following description of "Sky Fires" was provided to Sedona Legend by one of its builders. To view the color drawing full size please click on the thumbnail as shown above.

Location

"Sky Fires" was situated upon several acres of prime hilltop real estate now occupied by the Sedona Golf Resort. Approximate position would have been at the current intersection of Bent Tree Drive and Heritage Circle. The original dirt access road meandered due West from Highway 179 and approached the property from the North. It is now mostly covered by golfing green. A weathered Indian Hogan and circular sheep corral, made of saplings, still stood on clear grassy land near the front entrance. The unpaved driveway began at a steel farm gate. From there the roofline could be seen, a short distance away, rising above the foliage. At its end was a turn-around loop in right front of the house. A small brick garage built by the previous owner Faye Crenshaw stood off to one side. The land had numerous mature pinion trees, particularly where it fell off in elevation to the South and West. Everything else was native scrub and bare red soil with loose rocks here and there.

Back then, the area was still on the fringes of the township. The only sound was the wind. Below the house, to the mesa toward the West, was a sparsely vegetated plain. It was strewn with stone artifacts and pottery shards with black and white geometric patterns typical to the region. It is now a housing development. All the metates found there, large stone slabs for grinding corn, had been broken. Helen believed the Indians did this deliberately when forced to move off their land. There appeared to have once been a spring in the pass between the two mesas to the Southwest. There is a large rock nearby with spiral patterns and petroglyphs of horned animals. The Eastern boundary, and water bore, was shared with "The Spiritual Life Institute", a eclectic Christian center dotted with retreat huts. The primary outlook of the house was Northerly, with stunning views across Big Park to Bell Rock. Helen said the name "Sky Fires" was inspired by the spectacular sunsets that could be seen from this vantage point.

The structure consisted of a spacious, two storey central section, flanked by two single storey wings. It was constructed upon a concrete slab, with the master and guest bedrooms being at a lower "step-down" level. Adjacent to the main living area was an open kitchen, with level access to the side parking ramp via a long pantry. The floorplan reveals a few special design features. One is the sunken fireplace with a windowed alcove enclosing the chimney to maximize the view. Another is the subterranean Kiva, about three metres in diameter, excavated from solid red rock. This was intended as Helen's private meditation room. It had a curved staircase leading down to its entry door. Also visible is the trailer and low-slung cement brick addition, left by her friend Faye. These served as accommodation for the workers. Helen once mentioned she had a lot of "good times" there. Aside from that, she was always reluctant to discard anything that could be put to use. The second storey is not shown on the floorplan. It had a high raked ceiling, its own small bathroom along the South wall, and was said by Helen to be for her companion

Floor Plan

In appearance, "Sky Fires" was a refined, yet rustic, ranch house. As with Helen's earlier designs, its sprawling layout and choice of materials sought to reflect the natural beauty of the site. The color elevation drawing illustrates the front of the house which faced Bell Rock. First to be built was the Western wing. It was a novel construction of unfired adobe brick, interlaid every few courses with pine planks. Intended for aesthetic appeal and thermal mass, this was abandoned for the rest of the house due to weathering problems. Aside from that, it was labor intensive. The unique slit windows, comprised of heavy timber frames and three narrow panes each, were both a distinctive accent and practical way to conserve temperature. In contrast, the more recent central and Eastern sections of the structure were conventional stud frame, horizontally clad in rough-sawn pine planks. A mixture of creosote and old motor oil was applied externally as a preservative. Doors and widows were standard metal frame with sliding glass. The roofing overall was pale green, ribbed aluminum sheeting. An unusual choice for the time which had the unexpected feature of "creaking" as it expanded in the sun.

Elevation

The walls and exposed beam ceilings in the Western wing were lined entirely with rough-sawn pine. Painted in "Navaho White", this provided a traditional solidity and charm. There were numerous creative touches, such as the full-length desk in the master bedroom with views to Bell Rock. Over the bathtub, glass bricks in the wall admitted natural light from the studio. A back door led to a walkway under the eaves. It skirted a tall pinion which the building had been designed to spare. Aided by the thick adobe walls, high grade foam insulation above the ceiling and several wind turbines kept room temperature remarkably cool during even the hottest months. The central section, Eastern wing and upstairs bedroom were still mostly unlined at the time of Helen's death. Apart from an electric stove, there were no installed furnishings or floor coverings.

Interior

Construction

I never saw any architect's plans for the house. Only a few colored paintings by Helen. It was obviously a creative work in progress. This led to a number of unforeseen outcomes and changes to already completed work. With a view toward economy, the lumber was purchased unseasoned and shrunk after fitting, thereby leaving gaps. The Kiva was not waterproofed before backfilling. Unfortunately, it eventually filled waist-deep with rainwater seepage. Construction went slowly, lasting a few years from about 1977 to late 1979. During this time, workers with various skills came and went. Yet everyone maintained deep respect for Helen's good humor and generous spirit. She routinely drove over in her brown Ford pickup several days a week, often with dogs in tow, to inspect the building. By the time she was too incapacitated to do so, all work on the house had stopped. In the final months of her life, only a caretaker stayed on.

In Memoriam

When "Sky Fires" was completed, Helen had intended to move into it from "Wings of the Wind". The latter had been acquired, under her auspices, by a spiritual group. As it turned out, she never spent a single night there. After her passing, ownership of the property was contested by three parties. The house was partly damaged by fire and eventually demolished to make way for the present up-market apartments at the golf course. It is hoped the information here will help rekindle and preserve the memory of Helen Frye's last building project. What was to become her final dream home in Sedona.

Please note- it is likely that the uncolored rear portion of Sky Fires, as shown in the above drawing, was to be removed after Sky Fires was eventually completed. It was used primarily for the housing of construction workers. Opinion of Sedona Legend editor.

Flames of Doom- a Fire Well Remembered

Rumors spread like wildfire in this small town of Sedona but they cannot always be confirmed. One such rumor is of a mysterious fire at Sky Fires after Helen died. For some reason the incident has become imprinted on the minds of many in Sedona, I suppose because it was a "Helen Vanderbilt Frye" home, and of course, the esoteric group connection. One persistent rumor when I started the Helen and Jack Frye Story was that Sky Fires burned down on the New Year's Eve after Helen Frye's death. After much research I have found this to be untrue. There was indeed a fire at Sky Fires but it was actually on April 29 1983 no where near New Year's Eve of 1979.

Another rumor is that the fire was arson perpetrated by a certain new age group. Yes, the same group that fleeced Helen Frye in the late 1970's. This one is intriguing even though the house did not burn to the ground. I have to say the rumor of members of the group starting the fire can't be ruled out. Why? Because I keep hearing this version of the tale from Sedona residents connected with Helen Frye, even after all these years. Why would the group try to burn the house down? Let's just say there was a lot of fleecing going on and some of the members thought a certain ex-member had made off with loot that should have been bestowed upon the "group". That explains the motivation if there is any truth to it.

How did I investigate the fire? By running all over Sedona chasing phantoms- first to the Red Rock News in Uptown Sedona for 4 hours of tireless searching through newspapers from 1979 onward- but no luck. Secondly, by talking to personnel at two of our Sedona Fire Department Stations. The then Sedona Fire Inspector directed me to a couple ex-firefighters at which point I started to hit pay dirt. I actually found a firefighter that not only remembered a notable fire at the Ridge but actually responded to it! Boy did this guy have an amazing memory! However, was it the right location and date? More investigation was needed.

The Story- as told by a Sedona Fireman

In the pre-dawn darkness, residents of the V.O.C., in Red Rock Country, are awakened by the chilling sound of mournful sirens wailing into the night. As an ominous orange glow grows in the sky over the Village, the red flashing lights of Sedona fire engines are seen navigating their way across the valley, around and behind massive red rock monoliths, searching for the urgent call....

Yes, the Sedona Fireman, Capt. Denny Mandeville who responded to the call did remember the fire. As he remembered, (to paraphrase) "it was at the "Ridge" near Rancho Rojo Estates in a large home on a hill. A long time ago," he related, "don't know if I can help you with the details. No, it wasn't around New Year's, perhaps, later in the year? We responded to a call in early morning from Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek- two stations. The guy who called in the fire gave poor directions he told us to turn at a certain person's house, saying, 'everyone knows the place.' It turned out once we were underway no one knew who or where he was talking about! Finally, after more directions, we found the area. It was in the dark. I couldn't find the house again on a bet. When we got there we assessed the fire. We started up the staircase but about halfway up we were confronted with heat so intense we had to back out. By that time the other Fire Department crew arrived and set up floodlights. The fire was so hot that it was melting the pitch out of the open-beamed timbered ceilings. Pitch was dripping on the floors. The fire had moved from the kitchen up the electrical "J' box up into the bathroom upstairs. The upstairs walls were studded but not finished."

"No it did not burn down, I do not recall any fire in Sedona where the house was not saved during that time period. Mandeville indicated that someone was trying to spray down the ceilings. Either way he knew the time of the year was not New Year's as by the time they were finished he said they were in their shirt sleeves and the weather was mild. As they mopped up, night became dawn. He said he didn't remember the cause being mysterious at all but electrical in nature. The house was owned by a single young male, at least he remembered it that way. He said he felt the time period was around 1982 or 1983, not 1979 or 1980. Later, after the fire, they found out it was a Helen Frye property, and associated with a Eckankar.

I thanked him for his terrific memory and left. The next day I decided to give the Red Rock News another try researching later in the year from New Year's and earlier. Finally after two hours I hit gold! There was the article on the front page of the Red Rock News describing almost exactly what the fireman had told me and he was actually mentioned in the article! This guy was amazing. It was the same fire I was looking for- the names proved it. Mandeville is one of the Sedona Fire Department's finest without a doubt!

Sky Fires- Not to be Re-claimed!

An unfinished home- an escape from a life and 40-years of memories at the Frye Ranch out at Red Rock Crossing. Helen Frye created such beauty, yet the same was viciously snatched away from her in the end, in regard to her Sedona holdings. Ironically, this incomplete Frye project suffered a fate of destruction by fire and then passed into oblivion. Seems justified, in regard to the overall story and parties involved. Perhaps in the end it was Helen Frye herself who guided the demise of Sky Fires; a house in which she bestowed so much love and attention. This to insure her last project was not unjustly reclaimed by an usurper. Before Helen died she was hounded to complete Sky Fires and transfer title to the property. She refused to "hand it over"! Sky Fires would remain hers until it became ashes- the Sedona winds scattered it back to dust.

Above is the corner of Bent Tree Drive and Heritage Circle in the Village of Oak Creek. To the right are the adjoining greens to the south which connect this area with the Ridge and the clubhouse area. It seems that the Frye property likely was higher than the homes to the left, as they actually rest considerably lower than the neighboring elevation of the Ridge. The Helen Frye house was said to have sat on the highest elevation of the area overlooking the Village.

Currently in 2010, the location of Sky Fires is as elusive as old photos of the dwelling.

The Photograph of the Village of Oak Creek

Which Encompassed the World Via TWA

Little known fact is that Jack and Helen Frye were promoting Big Park (original name of the Village of Oak Creek) way back in 1941. Before there was even a village (community) and the valley consisted of merely a few small ranches. Certainly, long before the current residents of the Village of Oak Creek ever dreamed of building fabulous vacation homes across the Mesa,and into Jack’s Canyon (no connection with the Fryes). In the summer and fall of 1941, Jack and Helen Frye rode their horses and traveled the outback, and also flew their private plane extensively over this area and the Red Rock Country.

This is evidenced by a very famous photo Jack Frye captured of “Big Park” as shown above. Frye had this stunning color panorama printed on a TWA calendar which was circulated across the United States. Later, the Fryes used this image on their yearly Christmas Card, caption read: “Scene near the Frye Ranch”. The caption was indeed true as this image was taken just astone’s throw from the 700-acre Frye Ranch which can still be seen today from the Village of Oak Creek, off the end of Verde Valley School Road. (The photo was taken closer to what is now known as "The Ridge" at the Village.)

The image was used for years in a series of TWA’s most circulated color post cards, later still the same image was used in a glossy TWA promo poster of the early 1950’s featuring the new Constellation airliner cross-country passenger service. This Village of Oak Creek image that started with Jack and Helen Frye, literally flew around the world generating an untold amount of publicity for the region for 50-some years! A panorama that has been familiar to TWA passengers for decades. Remarkably, one of the first times I viewed it was after it was shared with me by a TWA employee at CDG! This all thanks to a love affair Jack and Helen Frye initiated with Sedona in 1941, and a photothat turned out to be extremely marketable!

When the image appeared on a calendar of Transcontinental & Western Air, Inc., it was widely noticed nationwide. This, because one, most people didn’t even know where Sedona or the Village of Oak Creek (Big Park) was in 1942, and secondly, those who did were bowled over by the Frye’s promotion of the region, and how they knew this would help the local Arizona economy. A plug from TWA was quite a compliment to Flagstaff and Big Park in 1942! After discovering the Oak Creek Canyon area in the spring of 1941 and buying up vast parcels of land which became the massive Frye Ranch (now a small portion as Red Rock State Park) Jack and Helen were enthralled with the area and shared the discovery with all their friends. Even before this Jack Frye knew Arizona better than most state residents, as he himself started the first passenger service for the State of Arizona in 1927, even to the point of flying the first load of passengers and air mail! For years, Frye tirelessly promoted his “adopted” state in speeches, through his air line, and was responsible for an untold amount of tourism revenue and new celebrity homes; many who moved here were personal Hollywood friends.

In September of 1942 we find a letter from the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce commending Frye for mentioning the lower Oak Creek Canyon area through TWA publicity.

"The beautiful reproduction of Oak Creek Canyon on your 1942 calendar is quite a sensation, especially to those who have not had the pleasure of seeing the canyon. Many are already asking, 'where such a beautiful spot could be?'

It is gratifying to us that Big Park should appear on so widely a spread piece of advertising, as your T.W.A. calendar, and we are proud indeed to hang the calendar where all may see and admire it.

Weather is unbelievably fine now, especially where your ranch is in Oak Creek. And we are anxiously awaiting snow for Christmas!

With Cordial Season’s Greetings and All Good Wishesand a Hearty Welcome “home” when you can come!"

Sincerely,Leo WeaverSecretary, Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce

From the Press-"The Coconino Sun was among the fortunate business places to receive a copy of the calendar. Jack Frye, president of TWA, recently purchased a ranch in lower Oak Creek and it is probable that he is responsible for the picture on the calendar."

I do not like to reproduce copyrighted material on this website but in this case I am sure that the Coconino Sun would have no issue with the above notation regarding Frye. Unfortunately, I do not have a copy of the (said) calendar but I will post such when it can be located. TWA post cards advertising the glamour of world air travel with TWA can be found prominently displayed on Patrick Chateau's TWA Paris CDG Charles de Gaulle Airport Website, here and here.

Famous TWA Post CardAlong the way of TWA

A piece appeared conjointly in the Flagstaff Coconino Sun newspaper which stated as follows:

TWA Features Oak Creek Scene On Calendar

"Business houses in Flagstaff who were fortunate enough to receive a 1942 calendar from TWA airlines this week were happy to note that the lower portion of the calendar is a colored photograph of Big Park in lower Oak Creek Canyon. Since TWA is a direct air line from New York to Los Angeles, this type of free publicity is welcomed by residents of Northern Arizona."

From 1941 to 2011- 70 years of change- Legacy of Frye @ Sedona

Just for fun, I captured this Village of Oak Creek and Highway 179 image from as close as possible to the location where the Fryes likely snapped their Christmas Card photo in 1941. Because of the many changes in the Village, with roads, buildings, and private property, etc., this is the best angle I can arrive at. Man has altered the landscape but the background of monoliths as created in nature's majesty have thankfully remained unscathed. So, in the spirit of this quest in recapturing an imprint of Sedona, I bid you "Season's Greetings from Jack and Helen Frye" 1941-2011. "Happy New Year and I hope your Sedona experience is unsurpassed!"Please click on any image for an enlargement.

Early Sedona societyconsistedof an elitegroup of very wealthy residents-